The Canterbury Angel

By: Ella

“Now Elizabeth, you know you must listen to Madame Fantine.”

Ella was sitting in the front parlor of her father’s friends New York townhouse being lectured about listening to her governess’ lessons.

“Papa, I DO listen, but all day is too much! I NEED a break. Let me have the afternoons off, PLEASE!!”

After a few minutes of thought her father consented. “As long as you will do what I say when it comes to your debut.”

Ella’s face fell. Her father was having her make her debut a year earlier than the rest of her friends. Taking her silence as consent her father walked briskly from the room. Ella stared dismally out the window. A young newsgirl with blonde hair was selling papers across the street in the park. When she saw Ella she grinned and smiled at her. Ella smiled half-heartedly back at her. Ella’s French maid Marie came in a few minutes later.

“Mademoiselle, your father says it is time for your walk,” the maid said holding out her coat and hat.

“Thank you Marie,” Ella said pulling on her emerald green coat, ”I’ll be back in an hour or so.”

Instead of walking she went and sat on a bench in the park. The newsgirl she had seen earlier came up to her after awhile.

“Buy me last pape, miss?”

“Sure,” she said taking a penny out and handing it to the girl.

“What’s your name?” Ella asked indicating for the girl to sit down next to her.

“Me name’s Gabby. What’s yours?”

“Ella. Where are you from?”

“I’m from right hea, Manhattan. I live at the Newsboys lodging house.”

“I’m from England. You’re lucky. I wish I could get away from my life. I feel suffocated.”

“Why don’t you come live wit us at the lodging?” Gabby suggested.

“Sure, is it alright with the person in charge?”

“Kloppy won’t mind. We just gotta get you some newsie clothes,” Gabby said jumping up,” my big brother, Kid Blink, should have some old clothes that’ll fit you.”

With a quick glance towards her house Ella hurried away with Gabby.

“ I’ll take ya by da lodgin’ house foist and den we’ll go meet da fellas at Tibby’s,” Gabby said as they approached the lodging house. She disappeared upstairs after they got inside. She came down a few minutes later with a bundle of clothes.

“Dese are fer you. You can change ovah dere,” Gabby said handing Ella the clothes. The outfit consisted of an old red shirt and gray pants. When she emerged her face was serious.

“I need to tell you something before we go and meet all of your friends,” Ella said slowly,” my father isn’t just some rich guy, he’s the Duke of Canterbury.”

“Lemme get dis straight, ”Gabby said,” Your fadda is a Duke? You have everythin’ you could ask for and you ran away?”

“My father had kept me in a gilded cage and now he wants me to make my debut into the ton 2 years before any of my friends and plans to marry me off to the first idiot with a title.”

“Then I’m glad I could help. Now let’s get somethin’ ta eat,” Gabby said heading out the door. Gabby led the way into a small restaurant a few blocks from the lodging house. At the sight of a new face the boys in the restaurant went quiet.

“Hey fellas. Dis is Ella. She ran away and I met ‘er and brought ‘er ‘ere. She needs help findin’ a job. Ella dese fellas here are Jack, David, Skittery, Mush, Boots, Skidoo, Dutchy, Bumlets, Snipeshoota, Crutchy, and Les and dat’s me big brodda Kid Blink. Ovah dere by Jack and Spot is deir goils Amanda and Jules,” Gabby said leading Ella to the table where her brother sat.

“Pleasua ta meet ya,” Kid Blink said kissing Ella’s hand.

“Nice to meet you to,” Ella replied shyly.

Blink was surprised by her accent. “ Where are ya from?” he asked.

“Canterbury, England. My father and I were visiting some friends.”

“Why’d ya run away?”

“My father was trying to run my life and I had to get out. Do you know of any place that could use a waitress or seamstress?” Ella said.

“Can you sing pretty good? Ise knows a lady who could use a singer for her vaudeville show.”

“I’m a pretty good singer. I’ve taken lessons since I was 5. Do you think you could take me there after lunch?” Ella said taking a bite out of her sandwich.

“Shoa. Medda’ll be glad ta have ya in da show. So’ll da fellas.”

After they had finished eating, Kid Blink rose and offered his arm to Ella. With Gabby leading the way they reached Irving Hall with in a half hour. After they entered the building Gabby went to find Medda. While they were gone, Ella took the time to look around the theater.

“This theater reminds me of the Palladium back home,” Ella said as she spun around the middle of the theater. Blink was leaning up against a seat staring at Ella. Even though she had a little dirt on her face, he thought she looked like an angel. The light glinting off her golden brown hair created a halo around her head. Her emerald eyes looked happy for the first time since he met her. Smiling she met his gaze. Something in his clear blue eyes made her blush and grow warm inside. The moment was shattered as Kid Blink’s sister scampered in followed by a tall red head.